*1Erasmus, M. A., 2Akani, N. P.,
2Amadi, L. O., and 2Williams, J. O.
1Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 5064, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University Nkpolu Oroworukwo, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: amakirimartha@gmail.com; nedieakani@yahoo.com; 08038213334; 08033102655
Abstract:
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has continued to be a threat to global health with several deaths
recorded despite the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Co-infection of hepatitis B and C is
now one of the leading causes of death among HIV-infected patients due to some haematological abnormalities and
immunological impairment. This study was conducted to compare some haematological parameters of HIV-infected
patients with hepatitis B and C co-infections from three hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria
Methodology: This was a comparative cross-sectional study of randomly recruited HIV-patients from antiretroviral
therapy (ART) clinic and HIV-negative patients from medical out-patient department (MOPD) of three different
hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria. Socio-demographic information of each participant was obtained with a structured
questionnaire. Four millilitres of blood were collected from each participant by venipuncture; 2 ml each were dispensed
into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and plain bottles for estimation of full blood count (FBC), cluster of
differentiation 4 (CD4), HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology. Continue reading “Comparative analysis of haematological parameters in HIV patients with co-infections of hepatitis B & C, and HIV-negative patients in Rivers State, Nigeria”